Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Bladder

Clinical Presentation:
Symptoms are related to the growth of tumor into the bladder lumen
and the proximal urethra. It is the most common soft tissue sarcoma
in children, and has a peak incidence between 3-5 years old and
between 15-18 years old.

Etiology/Pathophysiology:
Develops from primitive rhabdomyoblasts which are totipotential
mesenchymal cells and is extremely malignant. It can arise anywhere
in the body, but most commonly arises in the pelvis and genitourinary
tract (39%) and in the head and neck (31%). There are three
histological types: embryonal, alveolar, and pleomorphic. Embryonal
and alveolar account for 90% of cases. Sarcoma botryoides is a type
of embryonal that originates submucosally and then grows into the
lumens of hollow organs. It grows rapidly, metastasizes early and
wide with the exception of the embryonal type which infiltrates and
recurs locally.

Pathology:
Not applicable

Imaging Findings:
It can appear as a solid infiltrative lesion or as a polypoid
intraluminal mass that arises in the base of the bladder or in the
region of the bladder trigone. Partial distal ureteral obstruction is
often seen.

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